The Story of American Railroads: from the Iron Horse to the Diesel Locomotive by Stewart Holbrook

The Story of American Railroads: from the Iron Horse to the Diesel Locomotive by Stewart Holbrook

This richly comprehensive history by a self-proclaimed low-brow historian features more than 100 photographs and contemporary prints of America's railway system. Stewart H. Holbrook presents a dramatic, highly readable chronicle of the development of the backbone of the country's commerce and industry. Abounding in episodes of ingenuity and achievement, the growth of the railway system required constant improvements in techniques, devices, and machines, from the first wood burner that traveled on wooden rails to modern streamliners and diesel-powered giants.
In addition to technological innovations, the colossal enterprise required courage and resolve to battle challenges posed by nature as well as by political maneuvering and corruption. This fascinating survey draws upon many hitherto unknown original sources and new data, in addition to firsthand accounts from hundreds of brakemen, conductors, engineers, and other railroad employees. Sound and authoritative, it constitutes a definitive history of America's railroads.
Dover (2015) republication of the edition originally published by Bonanza Books, New York, 1947.
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Beloved Northwest author Stewart H. Holbrook, a Vermont native and former logger, came to Portland, Oregon in 1923. His works of popular history covered a variety of topics, including logging, famous figures of the Old West, and interesting events and people of the Pacific Northwest. A columnist for the Oregonian, Holbrook had articles published in newspapers and magazines all over the country, and he published many books. Holbrook described these writings as lowbrow or nonstuffed shirt history. The much-celebrated author was known to consort with a wide variety of people, from the literary elite to loggers and labor organizations.